TheCable

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted 14.4kg of cocaine concealed in lace and ankara fabrics at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

In a statement on Sunday, Femi Babafemi,  NDLEA spokesperson, said the illicit drugs were seized from two suspects — Ariyibi Olaseinde, a widower, and Akanbi Silifat, a divorcee.

Babafemi said the suspects were going for a lesser hajj in Saudi Arabia when they were arrested.

“Ariyibi was intercepted on Thursday 20th April at the screening point of MMIA Terminal 2 during outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers travelling from Lagos via Doha to Madina, Saudi Arabia,” Babafemi said.

“When his carry-on bag was checked, four sets of white lace material with linings of substance that tested positive for cocaine weighing 11.50kg were discovered.

“The suspect who claimed to be a widower and an advertising practitioner said his original plan was to ingest the drugs but had to change his mind after failed attempts to swallow bitter kola, which he was using to practice the process.”

According to Babafemi, Ariyibi said he was to be paid N1.8 million upon successful delivery of the consignment in Saudi Arabia.

The NDLEA  spokesperson said operatives of the agency arrested Silifat Akanbi with 2.90kg cocaine during the outward clearance of Qatar Airways passengers from Lagos via Doha to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

“A search of her hand luggage led to the discovery of six sheets of cocaine weighing 2.90kg concealed in ankara fabrics,” he said.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect is a divorcee and a trader who used to hawk clothes around Awoyaya area of Ajah, Lagos.

“A follow-up operation that lasted through the night into the early hours of Thursday 20th April was carried out during which the person who recruited her, Alhaji Adebayo Adeola Wasiu was arrested at No 28, Olateju Street, Mushin, Lagos. Adebayo is the managing director of B&T Travel Agency. “

Also, the NDLEA operatives attached to courier companies intercepted two drug consignments consisting of ecstasy and skunk going to the United Arab Emirates. 

Babafemi said while the pills of ecstasy were concealed in a gold-coloured wedding gown, the skunk was hidden in a microcontroller.

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Babafemi further said that one Kelvin Ogenedoro, a 400-level marine engineering student at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa, was also arrested with 600g skunk. 

He said NDLEA operatives in Adamawa arrested Sunday Emzor (aka Lalas), a notorious drug dealer, at Hayin Gada, Imburu Numan LGA, where he went to supply 1.650kg cannabis to an undercover operative. 

“On the same day in Kaduna, operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a truck conveying 110 bags and 200 compressed blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 1.223 tons (1,223kg) in Zaria while the truck driver, Adekunle Olanrewaju, 32, and his assistant, Tunde Jamiu, 20, were arrested,” he said.

“In Edo State, a 42-year-old cripple, Lucky Aigberenmolen trading in illicit drugs on his wheelchair was arrested in a raid of drug joints in parts of the state. While Lucky was nabbed at Ekpoma, Esan west LGA with 1.3kg of cannabis sativa and 10 litres of monkey tail.

“Another suspect, Mary David, 46, was arrested at Ugbegun, Esan central LGA with four litres of monkey tail and Osagiede Stephanie, 19, at Ekpoma, with various quantities of Colorado, methamphetamine, and molly. A 50kg of cannabis stored in a bush ready for distribution was also recovered in Irrua area of the state.

“While two suspects: Adeshina Olalekan and Christopher Joel, were arrested at Lektop hotel, Igbeba, Ijebu Ode, Ogun, with 39 litres of Skuchies, as well as various quantities of tramadol, and rophynol, operatives in Imo intercepted a female suspect, Ijeoma Anyiam Loreza, 40, at Orogwe, Owerri North with 70 blocks of cannabis sativa weighing 30kg.

“A notorious drug dealer in Okitipupa area of Ondo state, Mathew Obateru, 42, has also been taken into custody after different quantities of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, colorado, and loud were recovered from him. 

“In Taraba, a suspect, Mohammed Usman was arrested on Monday, April 17, in connection with the seizure of 10,009 pills of tramadol.”